2011 Winterbottom Stakes winner Ortensia could be on show during next year's Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival

The now Paul Messara-trained daughter of Testa Rossa atoned for her stripped Group 1 The Galaxy title at Randwick in April of 2010 due to a positive swab by storming home for a commanding win in the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.

It was the six-year-old’s second success in the Perth Summer Racing Carnival feature, Ortensia and ace hoop Craig Williams having also combined back in 2009 to take out the Winterbottom when it held only Group 2 status.

Her second turf triumph since coming out of retirement earlier this month, Ortensia having won the Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) first-up at Flemington on November 3, the Winterbottom Stakes success pushed the rank runner’s career earnings to an impressive $1,553,905.

The result was a dream come true for managing owner Alister Fraser who made the decision to shelve her retirement and resume racing.

“She’s got a lot of heart, this mare,” he said.

“She’s been through a lot her whole life and she just seems to step up when it’s counted.

“To have a horse like her win again, who hasn’t won since the Winterbottom two years ago until her Flemington win, just to win a race again is a thrill.

“She’s not anywhere near Black Caviar or More Joyous or three or four others I could rattle off, but she’s a pretty darn decent mare.”

There is a chance she will be given the opportunity to further enhance her broodmare prospects and prize money in New Zealand on January 1, 2012 in the NZ$200,000 Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m).

If not a trip across the Tasman, then Ortensia will be sent for a short break before being freshened up and bought back for a Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign ahead of her impending career as a broodmare.

“We are just going to wait and see, we haven’t drawn up any battle plans as yet,” Messara said.

“We will see how she goes in the next couple of days and take it from there but I’d say we are probably looking at Sydney.”

Whether it’s Australia, New Zealand or further abroad, the race you are looking for odds and markets on can be found at our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet!

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A three-year-old son of Flying Pegasus, King Saul was installed as the $4.40 second elect in the Luxbet markets for the $350,000 Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas (1600m) after their fourth to favourite Ron’s Call in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) last start.

On Saturday, however, King Saul proved too good for all their rivals in the WA Guineas romping home with ace hoop Craig Williams, who later saluted in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) with champion mare Ortensia, aboard to beat home $26 roughie Caiguna by three quarters of a length.

David Harrison’s in-form filly Red Hot Sax finished off the winning WA Guineas trifecta the same margin away again, both the runner-up and third placegetter to be spelled after their brave performances.

Odds-on favourite Ron’s Call ($1.80) was the disappointment of the day as they only managed to finishing five and three quarter lengths away ninth in the WA Guineas result.

Boom Magic Albert gelding Ron’s Call came into the WA Guineas on the back of four straight wins, their trainer Simon Miller saying they would be sent straight to the spelling paddock after Saturday’s failure that he in part blamed on the blistering hot weather in Perth over the weekend.

“It could have been everything – the heat and the big crowd,” Miller said.

“He was absolutely off his feet after the race.

“He was slow to recover, had a heart rate through the roof and it was still elevated well after.

“He was flat this morning (Monday) and that’s always my concern with him – his mental state.

“The engine’s there, he just needs to furnish into a finished product.

“We’ll do the right thing and put him out now.”

WA Guineas winner King Saul, purchased for $120,000 at last year’s Perth Magic Millions yearling sale, has now won three of their four career starts earning over $336,000 in prize money.

The WA Guineas victory was Andrews’ third success in the classic following on from The Right Money (2002) and Vain Crusader (2006).

Both trainer and majority owner, Craig Thompson, agreed that King Saul was shaping up as a very nice prospect for the $500,000 Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) back at Ascot on December 3.

“He’s got plenty of scope and it’s onwards to the Kingston Town,” Thompson said.

In the updated Kingston Town Classic odds at Luxbet, which are now led by Saturday’s Railway Stakes winner Luckygray at a quote of $2.80, King Saul is rated a $6 chance equal with He’s Remarkable who was first over the line in the Railway but regulated to second upon protest.

Beaten Railway Stakes favourite Ranger, who finished sixth in Saturday’s $1 million showdown, occupies the second line of Kingston Town Classic betting at $4.60.

To view the full markets for the upcoming Perth Summer Racing Carnival feature, visit our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet now and don’t forget to quote the code BONUSBET when you make your first deposit to have it matched dollar for dollar as a bonus bet up to $400!

2011 WA Guineas Results & Finishing Order

Ascot Race 7 – 19/11/2011

The second of two elite levels running at Ascot for “Super Saturday” along with the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is set to jump as Ascot Race 9 at 4:25pm (local time).

First prize for the Winterbottom Stakes winner is a very attractive $300,000, but the $100,000 second prize or even $45,000 for running third will be enough to push Scenic six-year-old Grand Nirvana to the magic million.

To date they have won nine and placed in 10 of their 33 career starts for $973,850 in prize money.

Their latest turf triumph was in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) back in June, in fact all but two of Grand Nirvana’s victories have been at Belmont Park.

Just how much Grand Nirvana likes it at Ascot is questionable looking at their record of 22 starts for two wins and eight minor placings at Perth’s ultimate racing venue.

It has been three years since Grand Nirvana won at Ascot when they took out the 2008 Fairetha Stakes.

Still, the punters haven’t shied away from them in the Winterbottom Stakes markets.

With visiting mare and 2009 hero Ortensia the clear-cut favourite paying $2.20 through Luxbet and fellow interstate raider, the Peter Snowden-trained Rarefied the next best-backed runner at $5, Grand Nirvana occupies the third line of Winterbottom Stakes betting at a quote of $7.

They have drawn double-digits in barrier 10 but have been impressive in their two first-up runs this season finishing a nose away second to Waratah’s Secret in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) on October 22 before their last-start second to Railway Stakes favourite Ranger in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on November 5.

For the Winterbottom they will partner with top jockey Peter Hall for the third time on the trot, replacing the injured Daniel Staeck, Hall affectionately known in WA as the “Cups King” having accumulated an impressive record of over 30 Cup victories around the state.

Hall has ridden a number of horses for Kersley over his career, but a win in the Winterbottom tomorrow would be his first victory for the decorated horseman.

“I am very happy to be riding for Fred,” Hall said.

“Being a heavyweight and with Grand Nirvana carrying big weights and Daniel (Staeck) being out, I guess I got the call.

“I think I have had two rides for Fred on Grand Nirvana and Spirit Lady.

“It has been a burning ambition of mine for many years to win a race for Fred and I would love for it to be this one.”

See below for the latest 2011 Winterbottom Stakes odds punters can lock in right now at Luxbet.

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Ascot Race 9 Odds: Burswood Winterbottom Stakes – 1200m

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

Ortensia is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes

Set to run as the penultimate event on the Railway Stakes Day card, Ascot Race 9 at 4:25pm (local time), the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) has 12 contenders left vying for the $300,000 first prize following the early scratching of #8 The Entourage and #13 All Friared Up.

Two interstate raiders dominate the Luxbet markets at Luxbet with 2009 Winterbottom Stakes winner Ortensia back for another shot and sitting as the $2.20 favourite to salute, followed in the markets by Peter Snowden’s spruik Sydney sprinter Rarefied who has been backed in from $6.50 to $5.

It is a competitive betting arena for this year’s Winterbottom with money also coming in for other single-figure hopes and long-shots alike.

Other recent Winterbottom Stakes betting market movers include Fred Kersley’s honest local Grand Nirvana ($8 into $7 Luxbet), defending champion Hadabeclorka ($41 into $34 Luxbet) and Neville Parnham’s resuming veteran Elliotto ($81 into $51).

This is what the markets say but what about the form?

Earlier this week we published our exclusive 2011 Winterbottom Stakes Form Guide & Betting Analysis and based on what we uncovered, the Races.com.au have our selections ready to go locked in at the best prices through Luxbet.

Winterbottom Stakes 2011 Tips – Ascot Race 9 Betting

1^st: #11 Ortensia – $2.20 Luxbet

Really we know it is boring to back the favourite but there is a lot to like about this class mare and while she is still over $2 we are going to tip and take her. Will get a dream run from barrier two, has won this race before, Craig Williams in the mount adds confidence, her last-start win first-up at Flemington was very strong and she is no stranger to travelling.

2^nd: #7 Rarefied – $5 Luxbet

Yep, we think the bookies have it right for this one and are backing the second favourite to finish second. Interstate raiders have a nice record during the festival and seem to have a bit more class than the locals more often than not. Boasts a 78.57% Place Rate and all reports from camp Snowden are that they are revved up and ready to go.

3^rd: #14 Avante – $21 Luxbet

Finally some value in our Winterbottom Stakes Trifecta tip! Has been steady in the markets and look to be a bit of a forgotten contender. Lovely draw in three one outside the favourite and are the only other last-start winner in the race along with Ortensia having taken out the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) here on November 1, should be fresh.

4^th: For Your Eyes Only – $41 Luxbet

Nice roughie pick, our other being #3 Elliotto ($51). Drawn a little wider in eight, but tick quite a few boxes including the best winning strike rate (38.46%) and a great record of two wins and a third from four attempts over the track and distance.

Follow our Winterbottom Stakes form picks or follow your own gut feeling over what horses to back at Ascot on Saturday, just make sure that when you place your bets you do so online at Luxbet at the best prices.

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Ortensia is one of two former winners in the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes field

Running as Ascot Race 9 at 4:25pm (local time) on Saturday, the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is shaping up as a top class showdown by some in-form locals looking to deny 2009 winner Ortensia her second success in the feature.

Ortensia is the pronounced $2.15 favourite in the latest markets at Luxbet.

There are now just 12 horses left in contention following the early scratching of #8 The Entourage and #13 All Friared Up.

The Stan Bates-trained Blackfriars mare All Friared Up, last seen running a brave third in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) on November 1, was one of the top fancies in the Luxbet markets at a quote of $9 prior to their withdrawal.

Having studied the remaining Winterbottom Stakes field and form guide, below we have the essential facts and stats on the race including info on the best horses to back at Luxbet based on win rates and track and distance records.

2011 Winterbottom Stakes Betting – Form Guide Facts

• #2 Hadabeclorka ($34 Luxbet) is the defending Winterbottom Stakes winner while #11 Ortensia ($2.15 Luxbet) is also a former champion having won the 2009 edition
• Last year Hadabeclorka came off a sixth in the Colonel Reeves Stakes, jumped from barrier five with William Pike in the mount; this year they finished ninth (of nine) in the same lead-up run, are drawn in barrier nine and will be ridden by Glenn Smith
• Barrier five this year belongs to #6 Ego’s Dare ($31 Luxbet) while #10 Morant ($21 Luxbet) will be ridden by last year’s winning hoop Pike
• Also, #5 Kid Choisir ($8.50 Luxbet) ran sixth in their final lead-up run this year behind 2011 Railway Stakes favourite Ranger in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 5
• Two years ago Ortenisa also jumped from barrier five and was ridden by Craig Williams, on Saturday she jumps from gate two and Williams is aboard again
• With All Friared Up out of the race, the best Win Rate of the field now belongs to #12 For Your Eyes Only (38.46%) followed closely by #9 Elusive Touch (35.71%), #5 Kid Choisir (33.33%), #11 Ortensia (32.14%) and #10 Morant (31.58%)
• #7 Rarefied (78.57%) boasts the highest Place Percentage followed by #10 Morant (73.68%), #9 Elusive Touch (71.43%) and #14 Avante (70.00%)
• Two last-start winners are in the field with #11 Ortensia (Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes, 1100m, Flemington, 03/11/2011) and #14 Avante (Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes, 1100m, Ascot, 01/11/2011)
• Aside from the winner Avante, other horses that have come via the Colonel Reeves Stakes this year (as Hadabeclorka did last year) are #4 Werd (2^nd), #10 Morant (4^th), #12 For Your Eyes Only (5^th) and #2 Hadabeclorka (9^th)
• The horse coming off the longest break is #3 Elliotto (91 days) followed by #9 Elusive Touch (48)
• Horses that have won at the Track & Distance are #2 Hadabeclorka (11-6-1-0), #3 Elliotto (10-3-2-0), #4 Werd (10-3-3-), #4 Kid Choisir (4-1-0-0), #11 Ortensia (1-1-0-0) and #12 For Your Eyes Only (4-2-0-1)
• #1 Grand Nirvana (4-0-3-0) may not have won over the track and distance before, but they shape up as a great Place bet having run second in three of their four attempts at Ascot over 1200 metres
• Every horse in the field has won over the distance on more than one occasion
• The only runners that haven’t been to Ascot before are #9 Elusive Touch, #7 Rarefied and #6 Ego’s Dare

Races.com.au will be publishing our insider Winterbottom Stakes tips shortly so make sure you bookmark this site.

In the meantime to get ready for the elite summer racing and betting action, or to lock in your own early picks for Ascot at a great price, head to Luxbet and sign up with Australia’s leading online bookmaker depositing and quoting the code BONUSBET to also receive a bonus welcome bet valued up to $400!

2011 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Form Guide

Ascot Race 9 – 19/11/2011

*Form Guide Credit IASbet

Former Winterbottom Stakes winner Ortensia is one of the headline runners at Ascot on Saturday

Racing on the day is headlined by six black-type features including three Group status races and two elite level showdowns.

The headline event, which is also Perth’s richest race, is the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) set to run as Race 8 at 3:45pm (local time).

Railway Stakes 2011 betting at Luxbet is led by spruik local Ranger at $3.60 followed by the likes of Gino Poletti’s in-form Luckygray ($5), Kiwi visitor He’s Remarkable ($7) and reigning Kingston Town Classic hero Playing God ($9).

After the Railway Stakes Ascot’s other thoroughbred major is due to jump at 4:25pm (local time) with the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).

Former Winterbottom Stakes winner from two years ago, Ortensia is back for another shot in the race now that it’s gained Group 1 status and the classy mare is the pronounced $2.20 favorite to salute through Luxbet.

She faces some quality rivals, however, including Peter Snowden’s Sydney raider Rarefied ($6.50), the Fred Kersley-trained Grand Nirvana ($8) and Stan Bate’s Blackfriars mare All Friared Up ($9).

The third Group race at Ascot Super Saturday this weekend is the three-year-olds’ classic, the $350,000 Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m), which is set to run as Race 7 at 3:05pm (local time).

Locals have a strong hand in the 2011 WA Guineas with Simon Miller’s Ron’s Call dominating the markets at Luxbet at a quote of $2.50 followed by Craig Williams’ ride King Saul ($3.40) and the Grant Williams-trained Shining Knight ($5.50).

Other features on the Ascot race program for Saturday include:

• Race 4 – the $80,000 Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) where the likes of RJ Peters Stakes placegetter Grey Monarch and the George Daly-trained Philby who ran fourth in the Lee Steere Stakes last-start will face off
• Race 5 – $80,000 Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) featuring the Neville Parnham-trained God Has Spoken, Ascot Mile third placegetter and Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Gum Nut Guru, and the Grant Williams-trained Western Jewel
• Race 6 – $80,000 Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) the fillies and mares’ showdown to be contested by in-form females such as Fred Kersley’s Answers Are, the Shane Edwards-trained Ima Citinpretty and the undefeated Bontiara

See below for the complete 2011 Railway Stakes Day fields and race times (listed in Perth time) so you don’t miss a minute of the action.

When you’re ready to check out the Ascot racing odds and markets, visit Luxbet where all new customers are rewarded with a $400 bonus bet when they deposit and quote the code BONUSBET!

2011 Railway Stakes Day Fields & Schedule

Ascot Racecourse – 19/11/2011

Race 1 – 11:08am Crown Lager Handicap (1400m)

Race 2 – 11:48am Pure Blonde Handicap (1100m)

Race 3 – 12:25pm Corona Handicap (1400m)

Race 4 – 1:05pm Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m)

Race 5 – 1:45pm Tattersall’s Cup (2100m)

Race 6 – 2:25pm Jungle Mist Classic (1200m)

Race 7 – 3:05pm Sky Racing W.A. Guineas (1600m)

• Favourite: #1 Rons’ Call @ $2.50 through Luxbet

Race 8 – 3:45pm Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m)

• Favourite: #3 Ranger @ $3.60 through Luxbet

Race 9 – 4:25pm Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m)

• Favourite: #11 Ortensia @ $2.20 through Luxbet

Race 10 – 5:05pm Carlton Dry Handicap (1000m)

Neville Parnham’s Easy Rocking seven-year-old severely injured their near foreleg in an accident at trackwork, severing an artery and nearly losing their life.

“There were pools and pools of blood and the cut was about a centimeter from being potentially fatal,” Parnham said.

“It was a pretty severe injury but the vets did a great job.”

Elliotto defied the odds, however, and having made a remarkable recovery will resume racing in the $500,000 Group 1 Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on Railway Stakes Day this weekend.

A winner of nine of their 36 starts to date, Elliotto ran a disappointing 11^th in last year’s Winterbottom Stakes beaten over six lengths by Hadabeclorka.

This, and the fact they haven’t won a race since the RJ Peters Stakes back in November of 2009, have seen Elliotto installed as the $81 roughie of the Winterbottom Stakes odds at Luxbet.

Still, Parnham knows it took a lot of guts from the horse to come back from such a nasty injury and that they deserve their chance.

“He’s worked through the injury and now you wouldn’t even know it – he’s come back superbly,” Parnham said.

“He’ll run a really cheeky race.”

Last seen finishing a close third to Idyllic Prince and Playing God in the Listed Goodwood Sprint (1300m) at Belmont Park back in August, Elliotto will get the inside running from gate one on Saturday with Brad Parnham in the mount.

“He went super behind Idyllic Prince before the injury,” Parnham said.

They showed they were back on track for a competitive return when beating home Winterbottom Stakes rival Elusive Touch ($21 Luxbet) in a Belmont Park trial over 2000 metres earlier this month.

Elliotto also worked well in a gallop at Ascot with stablemate Dempsey, who races in the $80,000 Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, at Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Stars.

“He trialled really good the other day and worked superbly (on Tuesday),” Parnham said.

Clear favourite for the Winterbottom Stakes this year is 2009 winner Ortensia at a quote of $2.20 through Luxbet.

Due to be ridden by champion hoop Craig Williams, aboard for her 2009 Winterbottom Stakes success, drawn ideally in gate two and coming off a last-start win Ortensia is the definite form pick of the race.

Other gallopers at single-figures in the Winterbottom Stakes markets at Luxbet include the Peter Snowden-trained Sydney sprinter Rarefied ($6.50) and Fred Kersley’s in-form local six-year-old Grand Nirvana ($8).

Check out the complete Winterbottom Stakes betting odds and options, as well as those for the day’s other Group 1 feature the Railway Stakes, open now at Luxbet.

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Kerrin McEvoy has a strong ride in both Group 1 races at Ascot this Saturday

The day’s marquee event is the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), running as Ascot Race 8 on Saturday at 3:45pm (local time), in which McEvoy will partner up with Roger James’ sensational Kiwi galloper He’s Remarkable.

Drawn on the rails in barrier one in the capacity Railway Stakes field, Pentire four-year-old He’s Remarkable comes off an eye-catching campaign in Melbourne that included an Emirates Stakes Day victory over the Flemington mile.

Rated a $7 chance in the Railway Stakes odds at Luxbet trailing only the $3.60 favourite Ranger and emerging star Luckygray who has been backed in from $6 to $5 in the past 24 hours, He’s Remarkable has what McEvoy described as the right “profile” to become the 2011 Railway Stakes winner.

“He has performed on quick tracks and the trainer said he likes it firm so he’s got a good profile going into it on Saturday,” McEvoy said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he runs really well and comes back even better again in six months time.”

One thing firmly in He’s Remarkable’s favour on Saturday is the dramatic drop back from 59kg they carried to victory last start, McEvoy aboard for the first time on November 5 filling in for the suspended Corey Brown, to just 53kg for the Railway.

“I don’t mind the horse and he drops down to 53kg on Saturday,” McEvoy said.

“That was a pretty fair win at Flemington with 59kg on his back.

“The race probably wasn’t run to suit.

“It wasn’t run for him to win and he quickened nicely with the big weight.

“It was a good effort.”

McEvoy’s other major mount on Railway Stakes Day is then in Race 9 – the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) where he will jump aboard the Peter Snowden-trained Rarefied from barrier seven.

An improving son of Commands, five-year-old Rarefied had their career put on hold early last year due to injury and only resumed racing after a one and a half year stint on the sidelines in October.

Showing they had lost little of their shine, Rarefied ran a brave first-up second to Title in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m) at Randwick before narrowly finishing runner-up to Sister Madly in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 29.

“He’s…come back from injury, a good natured horse who was beaten by the bob of a head last start,” McEvoy said.

“(Sister Madly) was a tough horse to get past, and we only just got beat.”

Rarefied is currently the $6.50 second favourite in the Winterbottom Stakes betting markets at Luxbet that are led by firm $2.20 top elect, Ortensia.

Under the weight-for-age conditions of the Winterbottom Rarefied will carry 58.5kg while the now Paul Messara-trained Ortensia, who won the race two years ago when under the preparation of Tony Noonan, has 56.5kg.

“Rarefied goes to weight-for-age and will have to give weight to Ortensia,” McEvoy said.

“But he’s drawn a nice marble and travelled over there (to Perth) nicely.”

Along with He’s Remarkable and Rarefied McEvoy has four other Ascot Super Saturday rides including aboard the Julie Clements-trained Independent Mak who is the $201 roughie at Luxbet for the $350,000 Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m).

To view the full race fields and odds for all of the Ascot races this Saturday and lock in your picks at the best prices, head to the Tabcorp-owned and trusted online bookmaker Luxbet today.

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Ortensia is now set to face just 12 rivals in the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes

Set to run as Ascot Race 9 at 4:25pm (local time) on Saturday, the $500,000 Group 1 Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) will see the now Paul Messara-trained mare Ortensia vie for her second win in the feature following her 2009 success when the race held Group 2 status.

The clear favourite in the Winterbottom Stakes odds at Luxbet at a quote of $2.20, Ortensia will face 12 rivals now as she looks for her second win since coming out of retirement to take out the Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 3.

Having come up trumps with gate two for Saturday Ortensia looks primed to do just that.

“She’s won the race before, has the same jockey (Craig Williams) and let’s hope she can do it again,” Messara said.

Meanwhile Gangemi will be represented by just one runner in the Winterbottom this year after the scratching of Flying Spur five-year-old The Entourage who will instead go ahead with an easier assignment running in Race 10 on Saturday, the $45,000 Carlton Dry Handicap (1000m).

The Entourage was rated a $41 chance in the Winterbottom Stakes betting markets at Luxbet and was drawn in barrier 11.

Their removal from the field and markets will see Elusive Touch ($21), Kid Choisir ($9) and All Friared Up ($9) all move in one gate, the trio now to start from barriers 13, 12 and 11 respectively.

Gagnemi’s sole hope now lies in Werd paying $26 to claim an upset.

Drawn ideally in barrier six, Hussonet seven-year-old Werd was last seen running a close second to fellow Winterbottom Stakes rival Avante ($21) in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m).

See below for the latest Winterbottom Stakes odds that you can lock in right now at Luxbet.

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2011 Winterbottom Stakes Odds

Ascot Race 9 – 19/11/2011

*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change

Running alongside the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), the $350,000 Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) is one of the key feature races held during the Festival of Perth Racing.

Attracting a quality field of 14 three-year-olds, down to 13 with the early scratching of #12 Pattie Me Lass, the WA Guineas 2011 betting markets are led by Simon Miller’s last-start Fairetha Stakes winner Ron’s Call at $2.50.

At the other end of the odds, however, is the horse Parnham is tipping as a genuine upset chance, $51 outsider Shady Bet.

The Bletchley Park gelding has won two of their seven career starts, but has been disappointing in their two most recent runs.

On October 15 they finished sixth, albeit beaten just two and a half lengths, to WA Guineas second favourite King Saul ($3.40) in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m).

Stepping up to the 1400m last start, Shady Bet failed to come within nine and a half lengths of Ron’s Call in the Fairetha Stakes on November 5.

While on paper they look a far cry from the class of their WA Guineas rivals, Parnham knows that going up to the mile and drawn well in gate two Shady Bet has improvement in them as their earlier runs this prep were hampered by foot issues.

“I’ve had some issues with his feet and he’s worn bar shoes at his last two starts, but they’re coming off on Saturday,” Parnham said.

“I think last start (in the Fairetha Stakes), on the wet track with a  lot of water on the surface and bar shoes on, he was gone at the 700 or 800 (metres).

“But I think we’ll see a different horse on Saturday.”

Shady Bet showed their potential at Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Stars at Ascot in a piece of work that had Parnham rapped.

“He worked superbly, has drawn in four and should get a pretty cosy run,” Parnham said.

The shortest-priced of Parnham’s WA Guineas contingent this year is Al Maher filly Almachino who has drawn wide in barrier 12 and will be ridden by Brad Parnham.

Almachino sits as a $13 chance in the WA Guineas markets at Luxbet having raced consistently all season including her close third in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) and third again last Saturday in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes over the Ascot mile.

Fort Courage ($21 Luxbet) is Parnham’s third hope, the General Nediym colt coming off a third in the Fairetha and to be ridden by Steven Parnham from barrier nine.

“He’s a lazy horse which helps him relax and 1600m and beyond will suit him,” Parnham said of Fort Courage.

Parnham seeks his second successive WA Guineas success following the win by subsequent Group 1 Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God 12 months ago.

Playing God is also back at Ascot this Saturday lining up as a $7.50 chance at Luxbet for the 2011 Railway Stakes.

To check out the complete WA Guineas field and betting markets, as well as those for the Railway and Winterbottom, head to Luxbet today and open that online betting account you’ve been meaning to all season!

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